Stay safe with natural gas

Atmos Energy teams inspect pipelines often and use advanced equipment for detecting leaks.

To protect yourself and others, be aware of what to do if you ever smell natural gas and how to prevent incidents involving natural gas pipelines.

Federal and state regulations require utilities to odorize natural gas so that the gas is readily detectable by a person with a normal sense of smell. Technicians routinely monitor the odorant concentration with instruments throughout the pipeline system.

If you ever smell leaking natural gas, do not wait. Leave the premises immediately. Do not rely on your sense of smell alone to detect the presence of natural gas. Use your other senses — smell, listen or look — to check for telltale signs of a leak.

If you think there’s a leak

Leave the area immediately and tell other to leave, too.

Leave any doors open.

Don’t turn on or off any electric switch; this could cause a spark, igniting the gas.

Don’t use a cellphone, telephone, garage door opener, doorbell or even a flashlight.

Don’t smoke, use a lighter or strike a match.

Don’t start or stop a nearby vehicle or machinery.

Don’t try to shut off a natural gas valve.

Once you are safely out of the area, call 911 and Atmos Energy at 866-322-8667. Do not assume someone else will report the leak.

Atmos Energy will send a trained technician immediately to investigate at no cost.